Is people-watching from an outdoor café, Americano in hand, a legitimate pastime, or, let’s be frank, fieldwork?

If so, you’re in the right spot, continue:

• Has Kafka’s The Trial resonated a little too well?
• Do you see shades where others only see black? “That’s clearly ‘charcoal,’ dear.”
• Do you loathe texting, in part because it replaced the signature, that unmistakable motion of your own hand, with something anonymous?
• Do you feel sorry for people who’ve never shed a tear over a beautiful song?
• Do you look around and realize, oh no, we’re actually in charge of this mess? *hand gestures to world*
• Do you find more truth in poetry than most textbooks?
• Do you ask who made the rules, and why?
• Do you savor the fullness of a moment because you know it’s never to be replicated?
• Have you casually quoted Nietzsche at a dinner party or while in line at Trader Joe’s?
• Do you give trends the side-eye, flummoxed everyone desires to look the same?
• Do you delight in pleasures that some say are sins, and shrug at the self appointed authorities?
• Do you wish you could have met Camus or seen him act in a play?
• Would you rather know a person instead of their labels and categories?
• Do you run your hands through your hair as the idea of Sisyphus being happy settles in?
• Do you think of your finitude and wonder why no one else seems bothered?
• Do you find long walks in nature romantic, healing, and essential for contemplation?
• Do you prefer a fresh batch of questions every morning to a stale set of answers?
• Is coffee your version of Holy Water?

If you nodded along to most of these, congratulations: you’re condemned to be free. (Camus rejected the “existentialist” label, which is, of course, so very existentialist.)

Podcast Episode Recommendations for your Existentialist Trek (click images to play):

Great Introductory books on Existentialism (click images):

*Click here for more Philosophy Resources